THE CRIPPLED SUBMARINE
"BETTER switch off the searchlight," said Gerald. "It's doing no good, and we must economise the air."
"There's enough oxygen to last for two hours," observed Palmer; "but we had better try the motors full speed ahead once more. It can't do much harm, and the longer we remain inactive the deeper the boat will sink in the ooze."
But beyond a slight pulsation of the hull the submarine remained in her hazardous position.
"Look here," exclaimed Gerald's companion, hopefully, "why not close the torpedo compensating tank and discharge all the torpedoes? That will get rid of some of our gear."
"What happens to the torpedoes when they have finished their run, provided they miss their mark?" asked Gerald.
"If they have practice-heads they rise to the surface; if provided with war-heads they sink."
"The same as our Whiteheads: the exhaustion of the compressed air actuating the propellers opens a valve that admits water into the air-chamber?"
"That is so."
"Then I'm afraid your plan is useless, for in expelling the torpedoes we are only getting rid of objects lighter than the weight of the water they displace."